Władysław Danielewicz, Piotr Kiciński, Łukasz Antosz

TURKEY OAK (QUERCUS CERRIS L.) IN POLISH FORESTS

The Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.) is one of the least known species of trees of alien origin introduced to forests in Poland. Its natural geographical range embraces southern Europe and Asia Minor. It started to be grown on the Polish lands in 1813, planted primarily in parks and gardens, mostly in the western part of the country. On the basis of the present authors’ own field search, the literature, and unpublished data, it was possible to collect information about 22 places of occurrence of the Turkey oak in the woodland areas of Poland. A map of the distribution of this species is presented and the characteristics of its most extensive localities in forests are given. The oldest and most robust tree stands comprising Quercus cerris, planted in the fertile riverside habitats of the Oder river valley, have reached the age of 130-150 years. In those conditions the Turkey oak attains a height of 37 m and a breast-height diameter of up to 120 cm. Because of frequent frost damage and a low quality of trunks, it is of no productive significance in forestry. Even so, it is an interesting example of an alien oak species which, like the well-known Q. rubra, shows the ability to expand in a woodland environment.